KUCHING: Defending champions Sibu won all their four matches in the girls competition of the 2nd Sarawak Inter-Division Under-17 Basketball Championship en route to retaining their title in Miri on Tuesday.
Sibu had opened their campaign in the five-team league trouncing Miri B 84-34, followed by a tighter 62-47 win over Kuching and then a 56-33 comfortable win over Sarikei.
In their final league match against Miri A, the Sibu girls were just too good for their opponents, winning 62-48 to collect eight and a half points (0.5 points for tall talent) and top the table standings.
It was their second straight title.
Kuching produced a much improved performance from last year’s fourth place to finish as the runner-up this year.
In their final match against Sarikei on Tuesday, which was to decide second and third spots, Kuching recovered from a slow start to beat Sarikei 61-55 and collect seven points from three wins and one defeat.
Sarikei, with six points in the bag, ended up in third place while Miri A and Miri B were fourth and fifth with five and a half points (0.5 points for tall talent) and four points respectively.
The boys final will be played between Kuching and Bintulu after Kuching edged Miri 69-63 and Bintulu upstaged defending champions Sibu 54-50 in the semi-finals.
This championship, organised by Sarawak Basketball Association, provides the platform to select players to represent Sarawak at the National U17 basketball championship later this year.